“Rhode Islanders know that eight weeks as an intern doesn’t count as a job or qualify you to be governor,” Taveras spokeswoman Dawn Bergantino said.

In addition to questioning Pell’s internships, the Providence mayor’s campaign also said that Pell held one of his two “full-time permanent positions” — deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Education — for only six months.

“Mr. Pell quit his only job with executive experience after six months. Now he wants to lead our state,” Bergantino said. “Rhode Island’s next chief executive has to be up to the task of managing over 10,000 state employees and (an) $8 billion state budget. That person needs to be fully vetted and ready on day one to jump start our economy.”

Pell campaign manager Devin Driscoll said in response: “It’s disappointing that the mayor’s campaign is continuing its slide into negativity and mudslinging. As yesterday’s WPRI.com story made clear, Clay has a wealth of experience — both international and domestic. He’s proud of his service as a prosecutor in the Coast Guard, as a member of President Obama’s national security staff, and as a leader at the Department of Education.”